Mallard Lake Forest Preserve

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Mallard Lake Forest Preserve is a popular destination located in DuPage County, Illinois.


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Summary

The preserve boasts a diverse range of natural habitats including wetlands, forests, and prairies, making it a haven for wildlife, bird watchers, and nature enthusiasts.

Some of the key points of interest to visit within the preserve include Mallard Lake, which is great for fishing and boating, as well as the extensive hiking trails, picnic areas, and camping facilities. The preserve also features an impressive Nature Center which houses interactive exhibits and educational programs for visitors of all ages.

Interesting facts about the area include the fact that Mallard Lake was created through the efforts of the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression, and that the preserve is home to a variety of endangered species including the Blanding's turtle and the Eastern massasauga rattlesnake.

The best time of year to visit Mallard Lake Forest Preserve is during the summer months when the weather is warm and visitors can take full advantage of all the outdoor activities available. However, the preserve is also beautiful in the fall when the leaves change color, and in the winter when visitors can go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.

Overall, Mallard Lake Forest Preserve is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the beauty of nature in the state of Illinois.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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